our fathers were under the cloud
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ
our fathers were under the cloud
By: Dov Avnon
You hear many times people talking about how they follow Christ. In most cases, it is about Christ during his earthly ministry.
Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
The study about “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” is not about following Christ's earthly commandment but about Christ teaching us through the apostle Paul under this dispensation of grace.
You probably often heard people talking about “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” . What does it mean to follow Paul as he follows Christ. Does he mean that it has to do only with understanding the revelation of the mystery? Ephesians 3:1-9 !
When Paul is asking the brethren to follow him he says: Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 1 CORINTHIANS 11:1,2. The ordinance is a teaching and the teaching that we are talking about start in chapter 10. There is a great difference between the teachings that God gave to Moses for Israel and that Christ nailed on the cross and the teachings that Christ gave to Paul for members of the body of Christ.
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. COLOSSIANS. 2 :14
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ
our fathers were under the cloud
When Paul is calling the brethren to follow his teaching, it is about the things that he is writing them in chapter 10-11.
MOREOVER, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 1 CORINTHIANS 10-1
Paul is using few times the word ignorant “For they being ignorant of God's righteousness” Romans 10:3 or “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep…” 1 thess 4:13.
People can be in many cases not educated and many times not willing to learn. So this is a wake-up call to the brethren of the Church which is His body.
our fathers – Does Paul talk only to Jewish saints, when he says “our Fathers” ? No! it is a statement about what happened, and it is a sample. Acts 22:14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
Paul says to members of the body of Christ do not be ignorant and learn from what happened to the fathers who passed through the sea;
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Paul's first words are to the brethren. They are responsible to lead the church in this truth as Christ gave to Paul. To follow Paul as he follows Christ and not to be ignorant!
being ignorant of God's righteousness Rom. 10:3
be ignorant of this mystery Rom. 11:25
I would not have you ignorant – about the spiritual gifts 1 cor. 12:1
Ignorant = lacking in knowledge or training; unlearned. If you will just listen to different Bible teachers, you will find that they are just UNLEARND concerning different truth. Most Bible preachers might be unlearned about the truth of one baptism. Many who do know that Christ gave Paul the dispensation of grace are UNLEARND when it comes to the truth about the cup of blessing & The bread which we break
The first truth is about an important sample and principle that already take place when the nation Israel came out of Egypt. Paul is writing here to members of the body of Christ. He gives them an important sample of things that happen to the fathers of the nation Israel.
that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
It is written to members of the body of Christ Jews and Gentiles, about the nation of Israel coming out of Egypt. They were saved from the power of Egypt. God went before them. Their salvation from Egypt was because they listen to Moses.
EXODUS 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
EXODUS 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night
So this fact number 1 – the Children of Israel were saved from Egypt only because they believed Moses and did what God told them to do: blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
The baptism here is not about water but about the union. The point here is that God was with them not according to their good works but because of His grace. – the cloud walks with them. All those who came out of Egypt and went with Moses into the sea were saved from the judgment that came on the Egyptians.
30 Thus the LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore. Exodus 14:30
I want to remind the reader again that Paul gives us a sample of how salvation is just the beginning. God saved the nation Israel for a certain purpose for His glory and not just that they will have a better life than they had in Egypt. But this we will understand as we continue to listen to what Christ gave Paul in 1 Corinthians 10:1-14. So stay with me.
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
15 And when the children of Israel saw it, they saidone to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. Exodus 16:15
35 And the children of Israel did eat manna forty years, until they came to a land inhabited ; they did eat manna, until they came unto the borders of the land of Canaan. Exodus 16:35
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father givethyou the true bread from heaven.33For the bread of God is hewhich cometh downfrom heaven, and givethlife unto the world Jon. 6:32
If you just go through those verses and others you will see that during the 40 years in the desert God supplied their physical and spiritual need. It is God who saved them from Egypt by His grace for His purpose. It is the same God who gave them the physical and spiritual tools to be able to fulfill his purpose.
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ
6 Behold, I will standbefore thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall comewater out of it, that the people may drink . And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel. Exodus 17:6
2:6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 2:7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 2:8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 2:9 But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 2:10 Which in time past [were] not a people, but [are] now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 1 Peter 2:6-10
As we learn from the verse. Paul says that each one of those that came from Egypt drinks the same spiritual drink – it is a very important truth to show us that God gives His spiritual blessing, not according to anyone's works but only by His grace. It is the same Christ that telling us through Paul:
17Which are a shadow of things to come ; but the body is of Christ. Col 2:17
What is the teaching here? What did Christ reveal to Paul so we will know and learn from this sample?
Read 1 Cor chapter 10:1-4 a few times.
You have those so-called grace believers that whenever they see Paul referring to old testament passages they conclude that the letter is written to the Jews or because it was written during the so-called transition period where Paul went first to the synagogue.
The answer is no! Paul writes to members of the body of Christ. The letter to the Corinthians is part of the preaching of Jesus Christ to the revelation of the mystery.
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 1 cor 2:7
So let see how Paul is talking to both Jewish and Gentiles brethren in one body. Or did you already forget that in the body of Christ Jews and Gentiles believers are baptized in one body?
For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 1 cor. 12:13
My point is that Paul is writing to both Jews and Gentiles in new body of believers.
Ignorant
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. 1 cor .12:1
Look good how in 10:1 the brethren are ignorant concerning OUR FATHERS. Of course, the Jewish brother member of the body of Christ would know more about Moses and the cloud. Because Mozes was part of his fathers.
Can you imagine how will it be when the Gentile brother hears Paul saying to the same church “OUR FATHERS” and he will say Paul is not talking to me ?.
Ye know that ye were Gentiles, 1 cor 12:1
Can you imagine when the Jewish brother at that church hear Paul saying YE WERE GENTILES and he will say. Paul is not talking to me.
Dear reader this is what happen today. When I, as a Jew, a member of Christ's Body tell my Jewish brethren to study Paul's letters to the Galatians to see that we are NOT under the Law which God gave to Mozes. They say to me “the letter is written to the Gentiles believers in the Body- We are Jews”
Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles and he did not have a special Jewish ministry. . I hope you understand the point.
Christ sent Paul for this purpose:
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Acts 9:15
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all know. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 1 Cor 8:1
When Paul is talking to the believers in Corinth, We know that the above issue is more concerning the Gentiles believers.
offered unto idols
offered in sacrifice unto idols,
Please do remember that when Paul is writing to the Corinthians there is still a temple in Jerusalem where the Churches in Judea might still offer sacrifice. For those Churches is the letter to the Hebrews was written.
So how can someone teach that Paul writes this letter only to the Jewish believers, while Paul is dealing here with issues concerning JEWS and GENTILES in one body?
Did you already forget that I was a Jew also become a member of that Body in the same way as the Gentiles? Only by trusting Christ as my savior?
These is only the opening words in our study in Chapter 10. You see if we will not first accept that Paul is talking to us in this letter we will probably not listen to him like many so-called grace believers do when it comes to chapter 11.
Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 1 Cor.11:1-2
Dear reader I hope you are not that ignorant I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud,”
So now after we saw that Paul is speaking to both Jew and Gentiles in one Body let's listen together to what Paul has to say to both of us in 1corinthian 10
examples
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 1 cor. 10:1
Paul is going to tell us some very important truths concerning:
the communion of the blood of Christ?
the communion of the body of Christ?
Remmber it is EXAMPLES and admonition (verse 6,11)
The cloud and the sea
Every member of the body of Christ should know the facts about Israel coming out from Egypt.
There is some basic truth that is part of that deliverance based on the grace of God. This means that God was the one who point them the way according to his mercy and not their work.
First, God saw the blood:
Exodus 12:13 And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.
GOD went before them.
Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
God open for them the sea.
Exodus 14:16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
You see the Jewish and Gentile brethren in the body of Christ should know those facts as an example and admonition.
God save Israel from Egypt by His grace but he also wanted them to follow his commands as we know. This is an example and admonition for us members of the body of Christ.
Paul said about the Corinthians:
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1:30)
So on one hand they were redeemed by the blood of Christ but on the other hand, we read:
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife. 5:1
Remember that Israel all passed through the sea; not because they were so good but because God said:and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, Exodus 12:
It is the same principle that Paul say to the members of the body JEW and GENTILES
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 1 Cor 3:15 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. 2Cor. 5:21
Baptized unto Moses
And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; all eat the same spiritual meat;
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
all baptized
all eat the same spiritual meat
all drink the same spiritual drink
drank of that spiritual Rock
that Rock was Christ.
Remember again if by now you have already forgotten what I just said. Paul is giving here example and admonition to members f the body of Christ based on the sample of Israel coming out of Egypt.
Baptism is a union with something and not only in connection to water.
Israel as the children of the covenant. They came out from Egypt because God saw the blood and had a union with Moses. Even those who later died in the desert because they did not listen to God, were baptized to Moses. They were all in one camp and went through the same sea.
In the camp, they serve the same God the God of their fathers. The God who gave them not only to eat and to drink but also to fulfill all their spiritual needs.
You see as a member of the body of Christ you should never be ignorant, about what God already gave you by His grace.
Look again at what Paul was saying at the beginning of the letter:
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom,
and righteousness,
and sanctification,
and redemption:
So if we going to speak about the walk of the believers in the dispensation of Grace. We should never forget what Christ already did for us and what we already are in the sight of God.
That Rock was Christ.
Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
Deuteronomy 32:15 But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.
Psalms 18:46 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted.
Romans 9:33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Paul is teaching the Church as part of the revelation of the mystery that Christ is God. That Christ is the Rock of our salvation like it was in all time.
The only different is that Paul build on that Rock according to a different revelation which was the first secret But the Lord revealed it to him directly from heaven.
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 cor 3:10
You see Israel, as a nation, had part in that Rock but not all of them listen to that rock. So also members of the body of Christ should listen to this example and not make the same mistake as Israel did.
God was not well pleased
But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Now we are coming to the heart of our study. Most people think that only salvation can please God. There is so much soul-winning activity around. Salvation is just the beginning of our life with God. The purpose of our salvation on this earth as members of Christ's body is:
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2:14
Now we understand why is Paul taking the time to write the Corinthians so long letter. The massage is very clear in Chapter 10. You have to do what you say. It is not pleasing God to say “ I am SAVED so no matter what I will do most important I am saved”.
Yes, you might be saved but remember :
but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
examples
Why the so-called Grace believer who understands the word, is not willing to take a sample from Israel while Paul is teaching to do it.
What is so wrong that whenever Paul Goes back to the Word of God as it was in the days of Moses. That we are so ignorant and not willing to listen
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 1 cor 10:6
You see what Paul is teaching us here, member of the body of Christ is examples. We will always have our sinful nature with us but lust after evil things, is something else and it has to do with our walk as believers.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
1 Timothy 6:9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Neither be ye idolaters
Neither let us commit fornication,
Neither let us tempt Christ
Neither murmur ye,
Neither be ye idolaters,
as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
Neither let us commit fornication,
as some of them committed and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Neither murmur ye,
as some of them also murmured and were destroyed of the destroyer.
Neither be ye idolaters
Neither let us commit fornication,
Neither let us tempt Christ
Neither murmur ye,
Now read those verses and tell me that as a member of the body of Christ and because you are in the dispensation of Grace you are free from those things? of course not.
This is Paul's introduction before he going to speak with the believers about the ordinances of the Church.
10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he falls.
the question is why was Paul teaching members of Christ's body about it? Let's see what the Bible says about it:
Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world have come.
written for our admonition,
This is the answer directly from the pen of the apostle Paul our admonition, and who are those OUR – you and me Jew and Gentile in one body under this dispensation of Grace.